“As a young man at the time, I had the sensibilities of a young teenage male, which is to say very little sensibility at all. It is wonderful now, a third of a century later, getting some of the backdrop to what was going on at that time by reading this book.”

Andreas Sohmen-Pao missed out on opportunities to view history close-up, including a meal with paramount leader, Deng Xiaoping, but is now reading up about his grandfather, YK Pao.

“There’s just a phenomenal amount of money — and so much of this is below the radar. We’ve done some amazing deals that we can’t discuss. There are some major shipowners in bed with private equity that nobody knows about — I don’t think people realise just how ingrained private equity is in the business.”

There is so much money in New York that Norton Rose’s Harry Theochari can’t wait to get back to London.

"I am pleased that the board has estimated that I, with my experience, can contribute to securing further development for a period of time. I have stressed to the board of directors that I am not a candidate for the position.”

A thanks but no thanks message from acting chief executive, Klaus Nyborg, as Norden searches for a permanent boss.

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